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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-16-2004 Approved PCSC Minutes ` CITY OFDIIBLIN ' • yr PARRKSSAND..COMMUNITYSERVICES COMMISSLQ �w :: ' £`..�_ .; , MINUTES ,,AlIGU,S`T 16,,:2(1!14 The meeting of the Parks and Community Services Commission was called to order at 7:04 p.m. at the Dublin Civic Center,Dublin, California,by Chairperson Flores. Pledge of Allegiance Chairperson Flores led the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll Call Commissioners Present: Flores,Jones,Guarienti,Hildenbrand, Cain and Smith Commissioners Absent: None Oral Communications Cm. Cain advised that the Senior Center Advisory Committee has moved their monthly meeting to the Civic Center Council Chambers effective December 2004. This move is being made to centrally locate the meeting downtown, closer to the new senior center and because the Council Chambers offers better audio recording system. The Senior Center Advisory Committee is particularly pleased with the dramatic progress of the new Senior Center. Paul Silvas and Mary Lou Bielke both attended the Camp Parks Design Workshop and felt that it was a worthwhile exercise regardless of what evolves. Cm. Smith advised that the Mayor has appointed all of the Youth Advisory Committee Members. The first meeting of the Youth Advisory Committee will be in September. Approval of Minutes Cm. Guarienti stated that on Page 9, under the heading "Other Business", sentence 5, Cm. Guarienti wanted to clarify that the grant application he was referring to was the grant for the Alamo Canal Trail. Chairperson Flores directed the Commission's attention to page 5; paragraph 10,4th sentence,where she wanted to clarify that she was asking if the picnic area had to be circular. ON A MOTION BY CM.HILDENBRAND, SECONDED BY CM. CAIN AND BY UNANIMOUS VOTE, THE COMMISSION VOTED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF JULY 19,2004 AS MODIFIED. Written Communications-None Public Hearing-None Unfinished Business-None New Business 8.1 Report on Shannon Community Center Parks & Community Services Director Lowart stated that the purpose of the report was to update the Commission on the status of the Shannon Community Center and bring them up to date on the actions that the City Council took at their last meeting. On June 21, 2004, the City Manager determined that in the interest of public health and safety, the Shannon Community Center be closed due to water intrusion that caused an extensive amount of water damage and slightly elevated levels of airborne mold. This resulted in the relocation of recreation programs to various City and School District facilities and the relocation of employees to the expansion space at the Dublin Public Library. On July 20, 2004, the Dublin City Council received the Shannon Center Building Analysis, Summary Report and considered options for building repair and replacement. The options considered by the Council and the estimated cost of each option are shown as follows: , Minutes—August 16, 2004 Page2of5 ' • Option 1 -Remediation of Existing Building-$3.9 to$5.4 million • Option 2-New Building on Existing Building Site-$6.5 million • Option 3 -New Building on Existing Parking Lot Site-$7.5 million • Option 4-New Building at Emerald Glen Park-$5.9 million • Option 5 -Identify New Building location in Primary Planning Area-$7.8 million(not including land costs) The City Council selected Option 2. Staff was directed to look at the programming for the replacement community center and the future community center at Emerald Glen Park concurrently in order to consider potential efficiencies for facility use and staffing and to avoid duplication of program space. The programming study will take approximately 6 months; this will be followed by building design and preparation of construction documents. The estimated timeframe for completion of a new community center at Shannon Park is July 2007. The City Council also considered options for alternate activity and office space. For activity space, the Council approved the placement of two modular buildings at Emerald Glen Park. For office space, the Shannon Center Staff have been relocated to the smaller expansion space in the Dublin Public Library. Chairperson Flores asked Lowart if the building design for the new Shannon Center would be presented to the Parks & Community Services Commission for review and approval. Lowart confirmed that the Parks & Community Services Commission would be asked to review and approve the new community center building design prior to any implementation. Lowart stated that the funds for the Shannon Community Center project would be taken from the City's reserves. Cm. Guarienti asked where the two modular buildings would be located at Emerald Glen Park. Lowart advised that the modular buildings will be installed adjacent to the new bathroom recently completed under Phase II of the Emerald Glen Park project. Cm. Cain asked if the new building at Shannon Park would be placed in the same location as the old building and how would this construction affect public use of the park. Lowart advised that they would not be moving the building any closer to the creek because this would create potential Fish and Wildlife preservation concerns. Additionally, the original piers from the existing building will be used therefore; technically, this project is considered a "remodel". Lowart felt that public use of the park should not be greatly adversely affected by the reconstruction of the Shannon Community Center. 8.2 Bray Commons Dedication Lowart advised that Bray Commons is the City's newest neighborhood park and is located in the Dublin Ranch Development on Keegan Street, between Finnian Way and Maguire Way. The park is scheduled to open to the public in early September. As has been done with other new parks, a park dedication is suggested. Currently there are approximately 360 units occupied in the neighborhood the park serves. This is only about 25% of the total units that will be built in the area. Additionally there is still significant construction taking place on the parcels adjacent to the park. Although the park is opening soon, it may be advantageous to schedule the dedication in spring when there will be more residents living near the park. If the event were held in the fall, Staff recommends scheduling it on Saturday, October 9. This is two weeks after the Day on the Glen Festival. If the event were held in the spring, Staff recommends scheduling it on Saturday, May 7, which is the first Saturday in May. For either date, Staff recommends conducting the event from 10:00 A.M.to 1:00 P.M. At past park dedications, the activities have usually focused on a theme and the park amenities. Staff recommends an "International" theme, for this dedication, which compliments the cultural ties the park name has to Ireland. Lowart reviewed the suggested activities which would begin with a short dedication ceremony and ribbon cutting. , Minutes—August 16, 2004 Page 3 of 5' As the park is named after Dublin's Sister City of Bray, Ireland, the ceremony could include some type of cultural exchange. This could be coordinated with the Dublin Sister City Association. After the ribbon cutting, Staff proposes having the following event components: ✓ International Games led by Recreation Leaders on the large grassy meadow ✓ Brunch featuring an international sampling of breakfast foods ✓ Dog Pageant featuring a costume contest for dogs dressed to represent their cultural ancestry as well as a talent contest featuring pet tricks. ✓ Live entertainment featuring cultural performances _ ✓ Informal chess and checkers games using the game tables in the park ✓ Booths featuring international clubs from Dublin High School and the Dublin Sister City Association ✓ Booth featuring the Dublin Fine Arts Foundation and highlighting the"Art in the Parks"program ✓ Booths featuring the Parks&Community Services Department and the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Program ✓ Distribution of a commemorative item Cm. Cain asked Lowart where the picnic area is at Bray Commons. Lowart pointed out the picnic area on the map to Cm. Cain. Cm. Cain feels that the October date is too close to Day on the Glen festival and he prefers the May 7th date in the spring. Cm. Guarienti feels that delaying the park dedication until May would be better so that more of the neighborhood would be living in the area. Cm. Guarienti approves of the international theme. Cm. Jones felt that waiting until May, when more residents will be living in the area, would provide a greater opportunity to illustrate the services that the City offers to its community. Chairperson Flores asked Lowart when the majority of the construction, in that area,would be completed. Lowart stated that she believes that by spring a lot of the construction in this area should be complete or close to complete. Chairperson Flores stated that she prefers the May opening as well. Cm. Hildenbrand and Cm. Smith concur that the May 7th date is their preferred date for the Bray Commons Park Dedication. ON A MOTION FROM CM. GUARIENTI AND SECONDED BY CM. CAIN, THE COMMISSION UNIANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDED THAT STAFF SCHEDULE THE BRAY COMMONS PARK DEDICATION ON MAY 7, FROM 10:00 A.M. TO 1:00 P.M. AND APPROVED THE CONCEPTUAL THEME FOR THIS EVENT TO BE AN INTERNATIONAL THEME. 8.3 Dublin Transit Center Lowart explained that in 2004-2005 the Dublin City Council rated as a high priority goal: "work with the developer to locate significant works of art in two key places of the Dublin Transit Center, the Village Green Center and the"Iron Horse"Plaza." In May 2003, the Surplus Property Authority of Alameda County entered into a Development Agreement with the City of Dublin for the Dublin Transit Center Project. As part of the agreement, the Developer agrees to contribute Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars($250,000.00)for construction of public art. Staff has met with Stuart Cook,representative for the Alameda County Surplus Property Authority and has agreed to work together on the art project. The artist or artist team will be hired at the front end of the Transit Center Project along with the landscape architect so that the art components can be integrated into the infrastructure of the project rather than placed afterwards. Minutes—August 16, 2004 Page 4 of 5' A limited number of artists have been invited to participate in the art project. The selection committee will consist of the Heritage and Cultural Arts Supervisor, Parks and Facilities Development Manager, Stuart Cook, Alameda County Surplus Property Authority and the Authority's Landscape Architect for the project. The City Council has recommended that the selection committee also include a Heritage and Cultural Arts Commissioner and a Parks and Community Services Commissioner. Lowart advised that she would temporarily be heading up this project because Theresa Yvonne, Heritage and Cultural Arts Supervisor, City of Dublin,has resigned. Cm. Hildenbrand asked if the community would be involved in the selection process. Lowart advised that the community would not be involved in the selection process but would be invited to an open house to view the art once it has been selected. Cm. Hildenbrand asked who would own the artwork. Lowart advised that the City would own the artwork and obtain an easement to maintain the artwork on private property. Cm. Jones volunteered to be the representative from the Parks and Community Services Commission to the Dublin Transit Center Art Project Selection Committee. Chairperson Flores volunteered as the alternate representative for this Selection Committee. Other Business Brief INFORMATIONAL ONLY Reports from Parks & Community Services Commissioners and/or Staff Cm. Cain asked who would be attending the August 17th City Council meeting regarding Emerald Glen Park Phase III. Cm. Jones and Cm. Hildenbrand both advised that they will be attending the August 17th City Council Meeting. Lowart advised that she and Rosemary Alex, Project Manager, would be presenting the staff report on Emerald Glen Park Phase III at the August 17th meeting. Cm. Cain asked what would be presented. Lowart advised that Staff would be presenting a summary of how the project has evolved over time as well as a detailed description of latest changes that have occurred since the last review. Lowart advised that the most recent change to the plan was the recommendation to extend the area of the Recreation and Aquatics Center all the way to the walkway. From a construction standpoint it makes it easier to construct the park and it also provides a little more flexibility in planning. Cm. Guarienti stated that The Chronicle ran an article entitled East Bay Regional Park's 70th anniversary year, which was very interesting. It reminded him of the vision that people had 70 years ago to acquire the land so that we have the parks we have today. Cm. Guarienti stated that he feels that we have a lot of responsibility to the community as to how we put in trails and parks for them. Cm. Jones stated that his granddaughter took the gymnastics camp offered through the City of Dublin and she loved it. Everyday she brought home a different art project with an Olympic theme like torches, gold medals, etc. Cm. Jones and his wife were very pleased with the services provided by the City. Cm. Hildenbrand stated her daughter loved the Fun in the Sun program at Shannon Park and she made lots of new friends. Cm. Hildenbrand stated that the staff at Fun in the Sun at Shannon Park was excellent and the program was well run. Cm. Hildenbrand stated that the Emerald Glen Reflection pool has become a wading pool for residents and a water play area for their dogs. She stated that she knows that large "Do Not Swim" signs are being made but, in the meantime, she asked that everyone take an active role in policing the area. Lowart stated that Dublin police and MCE maintenance are patrolling the area also. Cm. Cain stated that people are also throwing coins in the Reflection pool. Cm. Hildenbrand stated that she participated in the Camp Parks Strategic Visioning meeting and was very pleased with the process and is excited to see what will come of this project. Cm. Hildenbrand stated that if they build housing to accommodate 2,800 to 3,000 new residents,they would need to provide forty acres of new park. , Minutes—August 16, 2004 Page 5 of 5' Cm. Cain asked if 5th Street would become a major east/west thoroughfare. Cm. Hildenbrand stated that Central Parkway would cut through Camp Parks but it is questionable, at this time, exactly where it would end. However, 5th Street will stay internally on Camp Parks land and be closed off to the public. Cm. Hildenbrand stated that the Dublin Fine Arts Foundation is hosting a six-week festival called "Dublin Does Art" starting on Wednesday, August 18`h. Four life-sized art pieces will be installed at Hacienda Crossing and several more pieces will be placed in the Civic Center lobby. During the six week event there is going to be a "Youth in Art"event. The muralist who did the underpass work for Dublin will be on hand to work with the youth on painting large display boards which will be displayed to the public. There will also be a "Community Photo Album Treasure Hunt" involving approximately 10 families from across Dublin. The participants will be looking for pictures from real photo albums which the artist, John Rueben, selected based on each picture's individual uniqueness. These 3 x 5 pictures will be displayed in Dublin on participating resident's front lawns. There will be clues for the participants to find and, there will be prize awarded for the winner. There will also be a "Plain Air Paint Out"event with local artists on hand to assist those who want to come and paint. The last event will be"Art at the Movies". The movie that will be shown is entitled "Rivers and Tides"which is about an artist named Andy Goldsworthy who is Scottish and uses the environment to create his art. It will be shown in the Library Community Room, several times throughout the day of the event and, will be free to the public. Cm. Guarienti asked how the public was notified of this event. Cm. Hildenbrand advised that they have ordered 11,000 posters, which will be mailed to Dublin residents and distributed to all of the local businesses for public promotion. Chair Flores advised that she was unable to attend the Camp Park Design Charrette but she did receive some very positive feedback from an associate with the Charrette. The associate felt that the City of Dublin was far more advanced and sophisticated in our knowledge than any other public organization participating in this project. Lowart stated that the summer programs are winding down and fall registration started today. Internet registration for fall has been tremendous. Lowart stated that the fence is down at Emerald Glen for Phase II and is open to the public. Lowart advised that Bray Commons is in the final punch list of issues and she hopes to go back to Council on September 7th for final approval to open Bray Commons Park to the public. Cm. Guarienti asked if the dedication for the Reflecting Pool at Emerald Glen was going to be held during the Day on the Glen festival. Lowart advised that the artist is not available that weekend and the Fine Arts Foundation is so busy with the "Dublin Does Art" campaign that they have not had the opportunity to select another date for the art dedication, at this point. Cm. Guarienti asked if there would be a brochure on the Reflecting Pool handed out which explains why there is "no swimming" in this art project. Cm. Guarienti stated that he feels if we explain "why" to the public that they are usually responsive to adhering to the rules, if they understand the reasoning behind them. Adjournment Being no further business,the meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, 4 Christie Marks Senior Office Assistant AP ROVE : iattlil -.NIP' Chairper n